Abstract

The Kerr effect (self-focusing), which induces transverse mode modifications and power-dependent losses, has been recognized to play a dominant role in the self-mode-locking of femtosecond solid-state lasers. Numerical simulations, based on the diffraction theory, provide a description of the modes in resonators with Kerr media.^1,2 However, a clear physical insight and simple guidelines for resonator design and optimization, which are obtainable by analytical treatment,³ are not yet well assessed.

© 1993 Optical Society of America